Photo Credit: Oli Duncanson

We sat down with Joe and Sam from UK metal band SHIELDS. The band recently reformed after a 5 year hiatus and gave us the rundown on their new single, first show back and what prompted the reunion.

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What was the reception from people when you made the announcement that Shields were reforming?

Joe: Amazing. It actually went better than expected. The fact we released an album and then stopped meant that people still listening to us were on board straight away. The response was very overwhelming and gratifying.

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Shields also released a new single titled ‘Bury Me’. How has that gone down?

Sam: The reason the single happened was because we were offered a show. Matt from Burn It Down Festival saw that we were all hanging out at last year’s festival, but we were all in different bands then. So he reached out and offered Shields a slot at this year’s festival but as a reunion or even a one-off show. I spoke to Joe and then everybody else, we ended up getting Marcus in as our new drummer and we had so much time to prepare for that show, it made sense to release a single to go alongside the reunion announcement. The song started out as me demoing for fun, but the core of it came from Joe, the lyrics and structure and everything that goes into the track is all down to him.

Joe: It’s good, I feel we are organising it in a way we want to do it. Sam had taken on the workload we were doing previously, and now we are sharing that between us and it feels there is a lot less pressure on us.

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The metal scene in the UK has changed so quickly within the time of Shields no longer being a band, how do you think you will fit in to this new era?

Joe: I’m not sure really, it seems people who enjoyed us before are happy we are back and they are listening to the newer bands as well. I do think that our ways of approaching music as a band has developed us as people into doing different things, and being influenced from the music that has been released since. The fact we are surrounding ourselves with new music gives us a good opportunity to fit into a scene that still exists and is also blossoming. Metal has come a long way since Shields formed, with bands like Knocked Loose playing Coachella for example, it is a nice time to come back and do heavy music again. 

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Your first show back was at Burn It Down Festival in Torquay, what was the reception like for that show?

Sam: I had a splendid time to be honest, it was very weird because I was really nervous and I never get nervous before I play, but the moment we went into the first riff it felt very nostalgic and comforting. It was nice to be doing it again and with your mates as well. There were definitely some cobwebs that needed dusting off, but still felt natural and great. 

Joe: It felt like something just slotted back into place walking back out on stage. It was just natural.

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Your first tour back is with Annisokay, who you have toured with previously. How excited are you to join back up with some old friends. 

Joe: There is a big part of touring that feels comforting and easy for me. Touring  in general, the structure of it is what I love. Waking up and being in a different place is very stimulating for me, I go crazy if I am stuck in the same space for too long. It is one of the main things I missed when not doing Shields. Sam and I have known each other nearly twenty years so it’s like being with a brother. 

Sam: When we toured with them last time, it was our second time in Europe, it felt very special. We felt really lucky to be asked as they approached us to play with them, it was a weird feeling.

Joe: We were playing to sold out crowds to 800 people on that tour, and the fact we are doing it again with them feels like a full circle moment.

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Do you have any goals you want to achieve going forward?

Sam: I said to the guys when we decided to do Shields again that I was only interested in doing it again as long as we all got along and had a good time doing it. I was always going to prioritise that over wondering what tours we are going to get on etc. and at the moment I am still processing it and enjoying the ride we are on.

Joe: It’s a passion project for all of us, but last time we definitely made some uninformed decisions as we tried to make it our jobs in a way, but now we are more wise and making better decisions.

Sam: We have been doing Shields since we were 17 and we’re nearly 30 now, its like our bromance baby.

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What plans are already set in stone for 2024?

Sam: We have a show in March in Northampton with Heart Of A Coward, Continents and some local bands. It’s a 150 cap room and I think it’s going to be insane. We are working on a few things, without going into too much detail, we are writing new music for some kind of future release. There will be tours, which we are talking to people about currently. 

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Do you have a memory from a tour that you hold close to you?

Joe: The Annisokay tour. The first time we stepped out on stage to a sold out show, meeting fans who saw us on our first trip to Europe and those who were really excited about seeing us. 

Sam: My favourite Shields tour we did was with Ice Nine Kills, that will always be a special tour to me. They were so professional and kind and warm to us, we’ve maintained a relationship with those guys and they brought us back on a few shows after that tour. That was really wholesome. 

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What is the craziest fan experience you have had?

Sam: I love Germany, my Grandma is German, my Mum is half German, nothing against them but my word they are harsh! Once someone came up to me and said “That was so good, shame you got fat” and I was shocked.

Joe: We have one fan who has been with us for years, she is so great. On our last tour she bought a name of a star and turned up at one of our shows with a certificate and named it Shields. 

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What would be your perfect rider?

Joe: I want a spa in the venue. Somewhere I can go for a swim, and a platter with chicken wings, cheese, fruit and veg. A hot meal after I come off stage would be nice too.

Sam: Joe just wants to go to a leisure centre. I just want as much stuff that will help me prepare for a show, towels, energy drinks, water and a hot meal. 

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Any final words?

Sam: Check out our new single ‘Bury Me’, stream it, watch the video. New music is on the way and thank you so much.

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A huge thank you to Sam and Joe for taking time out of their evening to chat with us. We are so excited to see Shields back on stage very soon.

Shields will be performing in the UK on the following dates:

12th October – London, The Garage
13th October – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
14th October – Manchester, Rebellion
15th October – Brighton, Chalk
30th March – Island Festival @ Northampton, Roadmender 

‘Bury Me’ is available to stream now, you can watch the official music video below.